The annals of maritime history are replete with tales of shipwrecks, each offering unique insights into the perils of seafaring and the socio-economic contexts of their times. The case of the S.S. Tasmania, a late 19th-century coastal steamer, presents a particularly intriguing narrative that encompasses not only the tragic circumstances of its demise but also the subsequent archaeological endeavours it has inspired.
The Fateful Voyage
On 28 July 1897, the Huddart-Parker Company steamer Tasmania embarked from Auckland, New Zealand, destined for Dunedin via Napier, Wellington, and Lyttelton. This routine coastal journey, however, was to be the vessel's last. At approximately 11 p.m. on 29 July, while navigating through a formidable south-east gale, the Tasmania encountered catastrophe off Table Cape on the Māhia Peninsula.
The Wreck
The ship's collision with the rocks precipitated a rapid and chaotic evacuation. Six vessels—four lifeboats and two smaller craft—were launched into the tempestuous seas. While five of these boats reached the shore, it was not without casualties; a seaman and a passenger were lost overboard from one craft. The sixth boat capsized, resulting in the loss of all nine crew members aboard. Within a mere hour of the initial impact, the Tasmania succumbed to the depths.
Historical Context
The Tasmania's wreck, while tragic, was not an anomaly in an era when maritime accidents were relatively commonplace. However, what distinguishes this particular incident is the presence of a notable passenger: Isador Jonah Rothschild, a jewellery merchant. In the haste of evacuation, Rothschild was compelled to abandon his cabin, leaving behind a suitcase containing jewels valued at £3000—a sum equivalent to approximately $600,000 in contemporary currency.
Human Toll of the Disaster
While the loss of the S.S. Tasmania and its cargo has captured much attention, it is crucial to acknowledge the human cost of this maritime tragedy. Eleven individuals lost their lives in the sinking, a stark reminder of the perils faced by seafarers of the era. Their names and details, preserved for posterity, offer a poignant glimpse into the diverse backgrounds of those who perished:
ALDERTON, M A H (Alex) - 30 years, from Whangarei
BALLARD, Harry* - 35 years, from Rio de Janeiro
BIDMEADE - from Christchurch
CONWAY, Thomas* - 25 years, from Dunedin
DYMOCK, W - from London
HENDERSON, Charles - from Sydney
LOHAN, J - from Melbourne
McGUIRE, William* - 21 years, from Yorkshire
McNELLIE, John* - 30 years, from Southampton
ROBERTSON, N E - from London
WOODS, Alexander* - 30 years, from Dumbarton, Scotland
*These individuals were buried at Makara Cemetery, Gisborne.
The diversity of origins among the deceased—ranging from New Zealand cities to international locations such as Rio de Janeiro and Scotland—underscores the cosmopolitan nature of maritime travel and trade in the late 19th century. It also highlights the global impact of such tragedies, affecting communities far beyond the immediate vicinity of the shipwreck.
A memorial headstone at Makara Cemetery in Gisborne serves as a lasting tribute to those who perished. The inscription reads:
"In memory of Chas. Henderson, Sydney; J Lohan, Melbourne; N E Robertson, London; Harry Ballard, Rio De Janiero; Thomas Conroy [sic], Dunedin; J W McGuire, Yorkshire; W Dymock, London; A Wood, Dumbarton; Bidmeade, Christchurch; J McNellie, Southampton; M A H Alderton, passenger, Whangarei; who lost their lives by the wreck of the S.S Tasmania which left Gisborne Roadstead on the night of Thursday 29 July 1897 and became a total wreck near Table Cape. 148 souls were on board, 137 were saved, 11 were drowned. Erected by the Colonial Agents of Huddart, Parker & Co., Proprietary Line."
This memorial not only commemorates the individuals lost but also provides valuable historical context. It confirms the total number of people aboard (148) and the number of survivors (137), emphasising the scale of the disaster and the efforts made in the rescue operation. The erection of the memorial by the Colonial Agents of Huddart, Parker & Co. demonstrates the sense of responsibility felt by the shipping company and its representatives in the aftermath of the tragedy.
Archaeological Pursuits
The presence of Rothschild's abandoned treasure has catalysed numerous salvage attempts over the decades. These efforts culminated in 1973 when Kelly Tarlton, a renowned marine archaeologist, acquired the salvage rights to the Tasmania's jewels. Tarlton's subsequent expeditions yielded approximately 250 pieces of jewellery. However, he posited that more than half of Rothschild's cache remained ensconced within the ship's submerged ruins. Many of the items where held at Tarlton's Museum of Shipwrecks in Opua, Bay of Islands, NZ until the museum's contents were dispersed via auction at Webb's Maritime Sale held in Auckland on 25-26 November 2002.
With the inclusion of an item of jewellery recovered from the wreck of the SS Tasmania in our latest Antiques and Estates auction, we reflect on the ill-fated journey and the story of this shipwreck, with its blend of tragedy, adventure, and archaeological significance.
